Bottle-washing machine



Du cal 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 /)9 Ju'hn'R.

J R DOSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 15. 1923 OWL 4,19ZZ

J. R. DOSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II l I I I I I I I I I .I I

I I v a'hn12 13n!til J. R. DOSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE Oct. 4, 1927.

J. R. DOST AL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE RJIuSnal 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ju'hFiled Oct. 15, 1925 Patented Oct. '4, 1927.

UNITED STATES,

JOHN R. DOSTAL, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNO-R TO DOSTAL & LOWEYHYDRO PATENT OFFICE.

COMPANY, IN 3., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

nor'rnn-wnsrrrnc MAcHmn' Application filed October 13, 1923. Serial No.668,352.

This invention relates to bottle washing machines. 7

Objects of this invention are to provide a bottle washing machine inwhich an endless 6 conveyoris provided for the bottles and is given astep by step motion to advance the bottles and cause a dwell of suchbottles to occur over the interior spraying means, to provide a novelfeed for this type of con- 10 veyor which will engage the conveyor at aplurality of spaced points on opposite sides thereof and willsimultaneously impart motion to the conveyor by force transmitted to thev conveyor at these points, which will prevent binding of the conveyorat any portion thereof, and to provide mechanism for accomplishing thesefunctions which is of sturdy, strong and simple design.

Further objects are to provide a plurality of dogs for engaging theconveyor at separate points, to provide an abutment for each of the dogswhich will take the strain off of their pivotal connection with theadvancing means, and to provide a construction of dogs which will notswing past dead center.

Further objects are to provide a bottle washing machine in whichprovision is made for collecting the labels'in a suitable recep tacle,in which means are provided for pre- 2 venting the labels from cloggingthe machine and preventing the return of the cleansing liquid to thereservoir, in which accumulation of dirt in the spraying means isprevented, and in which means. are provided for withdrawing thecleansing liquid from the reservoir and returningit thereto withoutcausing undue agitation of the liquid in the reservoir.

Further objects are to provide a bottle washing machine in which theconveyor is so constructed that it will hold a plurality of bottles inclosely spaced relation and will thus occupy a minimum of-room.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich 4 Figure 1 is a plan view of the bottle washing machine such viewbeing partly insection and showin the machine with the con W or removedor the sake of clearness. igure 2 is a fra entary transverse sectionalview such view corresponding to a section on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the rear portion of themachine.

Figure 4 is a plan view of one end of the conveyor and the associatedparts.

Figure 5 is a detail of a portion of the driving mechanism for theconveyor.

F gure 6 is an end elevation of one of the dogs showlng in section aportion of one of the oscillatory bars.

Figure 7 is a side view of one of the do s. v

Figure 8 is a sectional detail showing t e manner of mounting theremovable screen.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a further form ofconveyor.

' Figure 10 is a plan view partly in section of a part of the lowerportion of the machine showing the motor-and pump and a portion of thereservoir.

he upper spraying means for the bottles may be of any desired type andhas been omitted from the drawings for the sake of 'clearness, as suchmeans need not be specially constructed to cooperate with this machineand, as stated, consequently any satisfactory or usual type of uppersprayingmeans may be employed.

The machine comprises a conveyor composed ofa plurality, of individuallinks 1 (see Figure 4) which are provided with a plurality of hot leholders 2. These links each carry aft eir outer ends a roller or wheel 3provided with an inner flange 4. The inner ends of these links areprovided with'tra'nsverse portions 5 which are pivot ally joined, asshown in Figures 2 and 4, preferably by means. of interlapping lugs andpintle pins 7-. These links are each provided intermediate their endswith transverse abutting arms 6 which, whenthe links occupy. thestraight portion of the raceway,

are a apted to contact and to form in effect a solid straight conveyor.However, at the terminal portions, the links pivot above the pintle pins7 and swing in a semi-circle from one straight portion to the otherstraight portion asclearly shown in Figure 4. Each engaged by thedriving dogs hereinafter de; scribed. 1

The conveyor is carried upon parallel -of these links is provided'withan upstand- I ing lug or shoulder 8 which is adapted to be" thetrackscomprises an outer rail 9 upon which the rollers 3 are adapted totravel,

and an inner rail 10 upon whichthe inner portions of the links areadapted to slide,

such inner portions being provided with downwardly extending lugs 11(see Figure 2) .which, together with the inner flange 4 I as of "therollers correctly position the links. The outer rail terminates adjacentthe ends of the machine, as shown in Figure 1, and a pair of -flatsemicircular portions 12 are provided and are adapted to support theanges 4 of the rollers while the links make these half turns.

The feeding mechanism for the conveyor d directly rality. of members '16which are secured thereto by means of set screw 17 (see Figures 4, 6 and7). Each. of the members 16 carries a dog which is provided-with a hubportion 18-secured to the upstanding ears of the member 16 by means of apintle pin 19. The dogs are each provided with an outwardly projectingportion 20 which, as 1 tions and'is at all times exactly equal so thatshown in Figures 6 and 7, gradually slants upwardly towards one end,Adjacent'this end of thedogs, the members 16 are provided with abutments21 which are adapted to contact with the outwardly project ng from Fi're 1 that a plurality ends is prevented portions 20- and to thus relievethe pintle us The dogs are each provided with an inwardly prcijectingear 22, which, as may be seen from igure 6-, is adapted to en age theportion 16 and to prevent the dog rom bemg rocked past dead center. Theinclined portions 20 of the dogs are ada ted to ride over the lugs 8 ofthe links of t e conveyor and the dogs upon the reversemotion of "therods 13 and 14, are. adapted to engage such ears 8 and to advance theconveyor in a step by step manner. It is to be noted provide for each ofthe straight stretches and that binding of the conveyor at any portionsof the strai ht stretches or at their Ty this construction anddistribution of driving by this adequate force. i

In bottle washin machines as heretofore constructed, difiicu ty has beenexperienced due tov the unequal corresponding motions ofthe oscillatoryrods at different points in their travel. wholly avoidedby the particuar driving meansnow to be described. This driving means comprises "apinion 23 (see Figure 1) which is 'dlysecured to a vertical shaft 24andmes ice with racks 25 and 26 carried by' the rods 13 and'14,respectively. The shaft 24 is given a rocking or partial rotary 19 ofthe major portion of the stresses to the electric motor of dogs are Thisdefective o erat'ion is motion by means of a crank 27 secured thereto,as shown in Figure 5, and operated by means of a pitman 28. This pitmanis con-' nected to'a smaller rotary crank-29 which is driven by means ofa worm wheel 30 and worm 31. The worm 31 is rigidly secured to ahorizontal shaft 32 which, by means of av clutch 33, is drivenfrom thepulley 34.

This pulley may be belted to any suitable source of power, for instanceto a small pulley 35 show-n in dotted lines in Figure 5 and carried uponthe shaft 36- (see Figure driven by an electric motor 37.

The clutch 33 is adapted to be'operated in any convenient manner as bymeans of a link 38 operatively controlled by oscillatory arms 39'projecting outwardly upon each side of the machine adjacent the forwardend thereof.

The feeding mechanism, it will be seen, transforms the rapid rotarymotion of'the motor into a rocking motion of the pinion 23 and thispinion transmits reciprocatory motion to the longitudinally extendingbars 13 and 14 through the medium-of the racks 25and 26. It is to benoted that displacement of the rods 13 and 14 from their neutral ormiddle position isin opposite direcno binding of the COIIVBYOI willoccur at any .point in its length.

which passes through the front vertical partition 42 of the reservoirand into the inlet portion of the centrifugal pump 43. This pump isdirectly connected .37, as shown in Figwe 10, and it is to be noted thatthe pump and motor are set within the outline of the machine and. thusdo not require additionalwidth for the machine. The outlet portion 44 ofthe pump communicates with a fitting Q 45. such fitting being boltedthrough the side walls of the machine to the inlet fitting 46 of thelower header 47, as shown in Figures 1 and 10. The header 47 is providedwith a plurality of upwardly directed nozzles 48' (see Figure 2) whichprojects streams water upwardly into the inverted mouths of ure 1 thatthis header is substantially U shaped and that the water or othercleansing liquid is passed into the header by means of the pump at oneend thereof and sweeps continually around the header thus carrying withit, and discharging from point to point, any dirt that may be carried bythe water,

the bottles 49. It is to be noted from Figvides a sheet-like streamofreturning water materially reduced.

shown in Figure 3, to provide a basket with per header'or spraying meansis also provided .but is not shown in the drawlngs as this upperspraying means may be of any and downwardly slanting deflector plate 53is provided and is equipped with an upturning ledge 54 at its lowestend. This plate proand the led e prevents the stream from ac uiring suevelocity as to stir up the liqui in the reservoir but allows the liquid;0 flow into the reservoir with its velocity It is necessary, as

a high rear wall 55 so as to insure the retention of any material washeddownwardly from the screen 51. It thus becomes necessary to provideadditional means for per-- "walls of the machine.

mitting the ready removal of the screen. As may be seen from Figures 3and 8, the screen 51 is carried by a reenforcing frame work 56 which isslidably carried within side channels 57 pivoted, as indicated at 58, tothe side In this way, the screen may be readily removed by rocking thechannels 57 upwardly until the line of such channels is above the rearof the basket Q 55 and of the adjacent portion of the machine. When inthis osition, the screen may be readily slipped f iom the, channels andmay be cleaned,-of course, it is understood that the flap or cover 59 atthe rear portion of the machine (see Figure 3) is readily removable toprovide access to this portion of the apparatus. If desired a springlatch 56 may be carried by the, frame 56 and contact with the basket 52.

It fre uently happenst-hat in bottle washing inac ines the labels cloany screen mechanism that may be provi ed. This defeet in the operationof the machines, as

heretofore constructed, is wholly overcome in the practice of thisinvention by providing a wiper adapted to travel back and forth acrossthe screen, and .to wipe the labels 7 rearwardly therefrom. This wiperconsists of a pair of. side members 60' adaptedto travel upon thechannel members 57, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 8. These side membersare connected by transversely ex tending bars 61, so that, in effect, acrosshead is formed. A flap consisting of a main bod portion 62 and arubber or other strip 63 see Figure 3) is pivotally mounted adjacentitsupper edge between the end mem the pitman does not press downwardly uponthe pivotal joint with the flap 62. This truck is connected by means ofa short link 68 (see Figure 3) with the lower end of a level 69 which ispivotally carried, as is indicated at 70, by a stationary portion of themachine body. The upper end of the lever 69 is connected by means of alink 71 with a bracket 72 rigidly secured to one of the oscillatoryrods, for instance the rod 13.

It will be seen, therefore, that as the rod 13 reciprocates, the lever69 will be rocked.

back and forth between its full line and dotted line positions,indicated in Figure 3,

and consequently the pitman 64 will be drawn back and forth. When thepitman is drawn inwardly the flap 62 is raised by rocking it about itspivoted point, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3, thus causingits -.upper eiid to contact with the stop 77. Thus while the cross headis being retracted. the flap is in elevated position and does not draw"the labels or trash inwardly along thescreen 51. However, when outwardmotion is imparted to the pitman, the flap is immediately rockeddownwardly and its rubber or other lip 63 wipes outwardly across thescreen 51 and thus wipes or pushes the labels and other trash from thescreen into the basket 52. When the flap is rocked downwardly into itsfull line position, itsupper end contacts with the stop 78 thus'reventing further rocking motion of the ap. In this way clogging of thescreen mechanism is wholly avoided by this invention.

The modified form of link for-the conveyor,is illustrated in Figure 9 ofthe draw ings. From this figure it will be seen that three bottleholders, indicated at 7 3 7 4 and 75, are provided and are arranged atthe apexes of a triangle. These bottle holders are joined by'diagonallyextending connecting bars 76 which form an integral portion of thelinks. Otherwise-the links illustrated in Figure 9 are similar to thosepreviously described. It is to be noted from this lastdescribedconstruction that three bottles may be held by each link without"increasing the width of the link over that necessary for 'holdin twobottles.

' It w1ll thus be seenthat a bottle washing I machine has been providedin which uniform motion is given opposite ortions offthe conveyor at.widely space points. It will I further be "seen that all strains tendin'to' cramp or bindthe-conveyor are thus avoided and that a smooth and rear 0 eration of the machine results. -It tort or be seen that by thepeculiar construction of dog and the supporting structures therefor,that stresses are primarily borne by the abut- ,ment and are nottransmitted to the pintle pins of the dogs. It is to be noted also inconnection with these dogs that there is no danger of their being thrownupwardly beside of the channels 57 as shown in dotted lines'in Figure 8.

It is to be particularly noted that the construction of this machineis-such that a minimum of width is required and that the machine, as awhole is self-contained.

Although a few forms of the invention have been described inconsiderable detail, it is to be understood that the invention may .bevariously embodied and is, therefore, to be limited only as claimed. a

I claim:

1. In a bottle washing machine, the COM-"- bili'ation of a closed track,a conveyor for holding bottles adapted to travel upon said )rack, apinidn having an oscillatory crank rigid therewith, a .pair of racksmeshing with said pinion, means for operatively intermittentlyconnecting said racks with said conveyor, a worm driven rotary crank,and a pitman connecting said cranks. r

, 2. In a bottle washing machine, the combination of a closed trackhaving a pair of op osed straig t stretches, a conveyor for ho dingbottles adapted to travel upon said track, a pair of oscillatory rodsmounted parallel to, and adjacent, the straight stretches of said track,means for oscillating said rods in. opposite directions with equaldisplacements'at all positions, and means car- .ried by each of saidrods for intermittently engaging said conveyor. i

3. In a bottle washing machine, the com.- bination of a closed trackhavin a pair of opposed straight stretches, alin .conveyor for holdingbottles adapted to travel upon said track, a pair of oscillatory rodsmounted parallel to, and adjacent, the straight stretches of said track,means for oscillating said rods in opposite directions with equaldisplacements at all positions, and means carried by each of said rodsfor intermittently engaging said conveyor at a plurality of widelyspaced points. 1 4. In bottle Washing machine, the combination of aclosed track, a link conveyor for .holding bottles adapted to travelupon said track, a pinion, means for oscillating said pinion, a pair ofracks engaging said pinion, and means for intermittently operativelycoupling said racks with opposite sides of said conveyor. 5. In a bottlewashing'machine, the combination of a closed track having a pair ofopposed straight stretches, a link conveyor for holding bottles adaptedto travel upon .said track, a pinion, means for oscillating said pinion,a pair of rods mounted parallel to said straight stretches, a pair ofracks meshing with said pinion and carried by said rods; and meanscarried by said rods for intermittently engaging said conveyor.

6. In a bottle washing machine, the'com bination of a closed trackhaving a pair of opposed straight stretches, a link conveyor for holdingbottles adapted to travel upon said track, a pinion, means foroscillating said pinion, a pair of rods mounted parallel to saidstraight stretches, a pair of racks meshing with said pinion and carriedby said rods, and means carried by each of said rods for intermittentlyengaging saidconveyor at a plurality of widely spaced points.

7.111 a bottle washing machine, the combination of a closed track havingparallel opposed straight stretches, a conveyor adapted to travelalongsaid track and having a plurality of links provided with lugs and withbottle/holders, a pair of rods mounted parallel to, and adjacent, thestraight -stretch es of said track, a plurality of dogs carried by .eachrod and adapted to intermittently simultaneously engage said lugs, arack carried by each rod, a pinion meshing with said racks, and meansfor oscillating said pinion.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing (q I have hereunto set 'my handat Milwaukee,

in the county of Milwaukee and State of Visconsin.

JOHN DOSTAL.

